Multi-million dollar aquatic facility for Leonora

8/3/03
Premier Geoff Gallop today announced a $1.06million State Government grant to assist in the construction of Leonora's new multi-million dollar indoor swimming pool complex.
Visiting Leonora today, the Premier said the Government had delivered on an election commitment to contribute towards the cost of the new swimming pool complex.
"The people of Leonora have waited long enough for their new pool and it's now time for construction to begin," Dr Gallop said.
"This has been an important community project and I am pleased that the Government has been able to keep the election promise made by local MLA John Bowler and get the project over the funding line."
The $1.06million grant has been made out of the Government's Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF).
The Premier said the population of Leonora was expected to increase significantly during the next decade, so the new indoor swimming pool complex was an excellent investment in the town's social infrastructure.
Dr Gallop congratulated the Shire of Leonora for the way in which it had sought to accommodate the needs of the entire community in the design of the pool complex.
"The pool complex will cater for the needs of everyone in the Leonora community," he said.
"Young families will be able to take advantage of the wading pool and a hydraulically operated chair facility will enable people who are disabled with mobility problems to enter the main pool safely.
"As well as providing swimming and aquatic recreation, the complex will also provide a venue for swimming competitions and enable the teaching of water safety.
"The health and education benefits that will flow on from the provision of this new facility are significant."
The new complex will be built adjoining the existing indoor recreation centre, therefore creating a sport and recreation precinct in the town.
The new covered complex will include:

• a six-lane, 25m pool;
• a 40sq.m children's wading pool;
• landscaping and furnishings; and
• solar blankets and passive solar heating to allow the facility to be used year-round.

Dr Gallop commended Mr Bowler for his persistent efforts in assisting the Leonora community to fulfil their goal of obtaining an indoor swimming complex.
"John has been a strong advocate of this project and I congratulate him for his hard work in helping to bring it to fruition," he said.
Mr Bowler said he was pleased that the Leonora community would now have a vital piece of sport and recreation infrastructure.
"The pool will be more than just a place to swim and exercise," he said.
"It will provide a significant economic boost to the town and I am hopeful it will encourage fly-in/fly-out workers to live here."
In the latest round of CSRFF funding, the Government provided more than $9.3million in grants towards the construction or improvement of 144 sporting facilities throughout the State.
Premier's office: 9222 9475